The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 27 August 2026
Parking permit plan for more Leith streets, Southside bingo hall revamp green light, crucial culture funding meeting tomorrow + historic Hearts heroes net £5m Euro bonus
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Today's weather forecast: It's one of those mornings where some areas of the city have haar and some don't. The cloud is forecast to hang around all day, with a 50% chance of rain in the afternoon, rising to 70% by 10pm tonight. If you're going to the Deftones gig at Ingliston, I'll see you down the front and hopefully not in mud. Tomorrow's forecast is similar but with added sunshine. - See the full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh here.
🅿️ Vehicle parking restrictions could be on the way for more of Leith. The council is consulting on charging to park on more sections of Easter Road, Albion Road and nearby streets. It would mean residents need parking permits and visitors would have to pay to park during certain times. Sally Millar of Leith Links Community Council says: "I’m assured that the current map and plan is not carved in stone, and that changes to the plans can/will be implemented if local people ask pertinent questions, raise meaningful objections, make sensible suggestions." Future schemes are expected to open for consultation in Willowbrae, Lochend and Restalrig. - There are more details on the LLCC website + the council website.
🎭 Tensions are high ahead of tomorrow's council culture funding meeting. The Festivals Edinburgh umbrella body has warned that the council’s handling of the visitor levy risks damaging the city. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald. The meeting begins at 10am tomorrow and reports are online here.
Brian Ferguson
🌊 The organisers of Porty Festival are pausing plans for next year's volunteer-run event, saying it will return in 2028. - They shared this message on Instagram.
🚰 Two burst water mains left some residents in Blackhall with low or no water pressure yesterday. Engineers were working into last night after first being alerted to the problems yesterday morning. Minute subscriber Alex wrote in to say: "Blackhall (EH4) residents report very low or no water since this morning. Upstairs almost dry, downstairs barely trickling; washing machines and electric showers not working. By 3pm some still have no water and say no updates or temporary supply." Scottish Water shared an update here, saying: "We understand the inconvenience this causes and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to resolve the issue."
🚎 The ongoing closure of Princes Street has disrupted an estimated 5,000,000 bus and tram journeys, according to travel campaigners. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
💰 While the city's new tourist tax has reportedly generated £5m in its first month of operation, the council says it will not receive any levy funds until 1 October, reports Martyn McLaughlin in The Scotsman.
🏠 Nearly 1,500 affordable homes have been completed since the council's Housing Emergency Action Plan was agreed in 2024, along with 866 additional suitable temporary accommodation properties purchased. - More details on the council website here.
🎱 The family owners of The Ball Room sports bar at Jock's Lodge have shared expansion plans, claiming they have refused a purchase bid from the neighbouring site's student flat developers. - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
🏗️ Plans for a new cafe and bakery in the former bingo hall and cinema building at 50 Nicolson Street have been approved. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
- The former La Scala cinema / Classic cinema / Premier Bingo venue has a fascinating history, captured by Andy Arthur on Threadinburgh.
🍻 Middletons Bar on Easter Road has been sold to 'experienced private operators' by Belhaven owner Greene King, reports Scott Reid in The Scotsman.
🐑 'The risqué reason Dolly the sheep was named after Dolly Parton - and why the country star was 'flattered'' - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
- 'Remembering Dolly Parton’s night out in Edinburgh with brother as tributes paid' - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
- 'The show must go on' - Performers of The Dolly Parton Story at the Fringe paid tribute to the late singer just two hours after her death was announced on Tuesday. - There's an emotional video from the Surgeons’ Hall show on Instagram here and a report by Danyel Vanreenen in The Standard.
⚽️ The Hearts men's team earned a place in the UEFA Conference League last night after winning a dramatic penalty shoot out over Rapid Vienna. The result will 'bring in more than £5m in revenue' for the Tynecastle side, reports Barry Anderson in the Evening News.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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🚌 Bus stop closure - 'Hi, you've covered the tram situation a lot (thank you!) so thought you may be interested in the fact road works with closed bus stops are still going ahead even without trams. Fun fun. This is Leith St. No open stop from Elm Row until South Bridge.' - Photo here shared by a Minute reader.
🎭 JOB: Development Manager, Traverse Theatre - 'The Traverse Theatre is looking for an experienced, creative and proactive Development Manager to lead the operational aspects of the Traverse fundraising activity. (Deadline: 02 Sep)' - More details here, shared by Traverse Theatre.
🏃♂️ (S)Miles for Seaview - 'Walk 1 mile a day in September and make a real difference to children in Edinburgh. We are raising money for a Safe Space bed that will make a huge difference to to the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Walk, donate or share!' - More details here, shared by Friends of Seaview.
🎲 New hub for the Edinburgh wargaming community - 'From 5 September, Thursdays to Sundays, Valour Games will host a wargaming community hub at The Bakery community space on Brunswick Street Lane. Whether you're into 40K, Age of Sigmar, Magic:The Gathering or more, come play, connect and find friends.' - More details here, shared by Valour Games.
🎶 An evening of Literature and Music. Book Launch "When I set out for Lyonnesse" + Classical Music
Today, Thu 27 August - 'Award Winning Edinburgh Author Chris Rush Launches his new book "When I set out for Lyonnesse" about the life of Poet and Author "Thomas Hardy". Chris will be accompanied by Pianist Alexander McNamee and Vocalist Larissa Lourenco.'
7pm to 9pm | Music Auditorium George Watson College 69 Colinton Road Edinburgh EH10 5EG · Morningside | FREE - More details here, shared by Sparsile Books.
📚 Public Signing for Dogs & Bears with Max Porter
Tomorrow, Fri 28 August - 'Bestselling author Max Porter and illustrator Dorothée de Monfreid will be at The Portobello Bookshop for a public signing for their new picture book Dogs & Bears. Join them for a chat (and to get your book signed!) this Friday 28th Aug, 2.30-3.30pm.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | The Portobello Bookshop · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
🍻 Edinburgh City v Forfar - fans evening
Tomorrow, Fri 28 August - 'The Edinburgh City Supporters Club have put some money behind the bar at The Hoppy and will be providing some pre-match food for anyone going to the Edinburgh City v Forfar match. great chance to support your local team and meet some fellow fans'
6pm to 10pm | The Hoppy · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | £15 match ticket - More details here, shared by Ally Moncrieff, Edinburgh City Supporters Club.
🎤 FREE gig by Edinburgh alt-rock-folk-queer band Y.I.o.T.A
Tomorrow, Fri 28 August - 'Join us for drinks and an acoustic set by local band Your Illegal Operations on Transgender Aliens (Y.I.O.T.A). A 4-piece combining punk, metal, psych, and pop, that simultaneously hits (and misses) all four genres! Everyone welcome. No ticket req.'
6.30pm to 8pm | Scott Lawrie Gallery · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧠 Leith Croft Quiz Night - Fri 28th Aug- 7pm start
Tomorrow, Fri 28 August - 'Join Earth in Common for a fun fundraising quiz at Leith Community Croft on Friday 28 August. Arrive from 6pm for 7pm start. Gather your team, test your knowledge and help support Croft projects! Drinks & snacks available to purchase from our bar'
7pm to 9.30pm | Populus Cafe (Leith Community Croft) · Leith | from £5 per person - More details here, shared by Earth in Common.
🧘♀️ Scottish Kundalini Yoga Festival
Sat 29 August - 'Join us for a full day of connection and transformation at our Kundalini Yoga Festival. Immerse yourself in yoga, breathwork, meditation, gong bath and live music. Have a delicious vegan lunch and spend the day with a heart-centered community.'
9.30am to 6.30pm | Edinburgh Steiner School · Slateford | £111 - More details here, shared by Kundalini Yoga Scotland.
⚽ EH Retro Kits pop up
Sat 29 August - 'EH Retro Kits and Stoppage Time Winner Final Fringe Pop Up open both Saturday and Sunday (29/30th August). Rails will be full with new exclusive stock including vintage football shirts, memorabilia, football inspired clothing and prints.'
10.30am to 5pm | POP UP with stoodio. · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by EH Retro Kits.
✉️ Collage for Snail Mail + Autumn Planting with the Queer Gardening Group
Sat 29 August - 'It's a lovely time to get in touch with the soil and give someone a nice surprise in the post! Come along for a chill collage session focused on stuff you can post (materials provided) and help us get our autumn seeds in the ground.'
11am to 3pm | Gracemount Community Garden · Gracemount | FREE - More details here, shared by Jim, Transition Edinburgh South.
🛠️ Digital Fix It Day, Musselburgh
Mon 31 August - 'Fix it Day is a focused working day for business owners and freelancers. Tackle digital niggles e.g. systems that don't talk, clunky booking forms, overly-manual workflows. You bring a task, and work on it alongside your peers with expert support.'
10am to 5.30pm | The Fisherrow Centre · Musselburgh | £49.0 - More details here, shared by Rory Gianni.
🎬 Grassmarket Community Picturehouse [Every Wednesday]
Wed 02 September - 'Grassmarket Community Picturehouse's September-October programme is now live! Affordable community film screenings, every Wednesday at 7pm in the heart of Edinburgh.'
7pm to 9pm | Grassmarket Community Project & Coffee Saints Cafe · Old Town | £3/5/7 - More details here, shared by Tom Wood, Grassmarket Community Picturehouse.
📖 Storytime at The Cookbook Shop [Every Thursday]
Thu 03 September - 'Starting 3 September, kids can join us for storytime every Thursday at 12:00. Just head to the children's room at the back of the Shop to listen to diverse stories about food and cooking.'
12pm to 12.30pm | The Cookbook Shop · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Liz Bryson, The Cookbook Shop.
📖 BOOK LAUNCH EVENT -The Wild Fix Scotland
Thu 03 September - 'Join local author & photographer Anna Deacon in conversation with Toppings. Learn more about the powerful, science backed ways time in nature can benefit our wellbeing in an overwhelming world & come away feeling more calm, connected & creative!'
7pm to 10pm | Larch Leith Walk · Canonmills & Broughton | From £5 - More details here, shared by Anna Deacon.
📚 Ask Questions! Think Again!
Thu 03 September - 'Join author Joan Lennon in celebrating her fabulous new book, REVOLUTION! Publishing is a complex, demanding business and with 20 years experience, Joan is happy to share fascinating insights into the writing and publishing process.'
7pm to 8.30pm | The Edinburgh Bookshop · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by Lindsey Fraser, Fraser Ross Associates.
🎼 Sing Porty - choir taster sessions for new members [Every Thursday]
Thu 03 September - 'We are a fun and friendly choir in Portobello, and we're looking for new singers! No auditions, no need to read music, all welcome. We're running free tasters for new members on 3 & 10 Sep. Sign up at the link below. Hope to sing with you soon!'
8pm to 9.15pm | St John the Evangelist Church · Portobello - More details here, shared by Sing Porty.
🍂 Back to School for Grownups? Nature School for Grownups: Fall Foraging at 2 Edinburgh Venues [Until 23 Oct]
Fri 04 September - 'Go back to school-outside! Join Nature School for Grownups at Bridgend Farmhouse or Leith Community Croft for hands-on fall foraging, plant ID, wild preparations and a little play. Beginner-friendly, small-group sessions this autumn!'
2pm to 4pm | Leith Community Croft · Leith | 15-56 GBP - More details here, shared by Natasha Gabriella Lowery-Lewis, Nature School for Grownups.
🧀 Cheese and Wine tasting in aid of Ravelrig RDA
Sat 05 September - 'We are holding a cheese and wine night in our new arena to raise funds for Ravelrig RDA. Come and celebrate 40 years of Ravelrig RDA. Tickets are £20 and include 4 wines to taste and loads of cheese. Cash bar on the night.'
6pm to 9pm | Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled · Currie & Balerno | £20 - More details here, shared by Emma Urquhart, Ravelrig RDA (volunteer).
🌸 Caley workshop: Late Colour in the Garden
Sat 12 September - 'Colour in the garden shouldn't end in August! Find out what plants can brighten up your garden well into the autumn. We have lots of plant ideas to share with you and a walk around the beautiful planting in Saughton Park.'
10am to 12pm | Saughton Park · Saughton | £25/members £20 - More details here, shared by Caroline Kerr-Smith, The Caley.
🎉 Edinburgh People's Procession - last call registration closes 5 September 2026
Sun 13 September - 'Final call for community groups and organisations to take part in the Edinburgh People's Procession, and spectacular Riding of the Marches on 13 September 2026 - space still available - register by 5 September 2026'
2pm to 4.30pm | Scottish Parliament Building · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh March Riding of the Association.
📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here. Remember you can always see all 250+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🌯 The Tab's verdict on Fringe food.
- 📶 Discussion on city's poor phone signal due to network capacity.
- 🎬 BBC goes on set of Netflix show Dept Q in Edinburgh.
- 🤝 Volunteer Edinburgh Recruitment Fair returns.
- 🚨 'One crime in city every 12 minutes'.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 984.
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